2018 COSAM DISTINGUISHED ALUMUNUS: DR. S. D. DAVE WORLEY


On Friday, September 28, 2018 , Dr. S. D. “Dave” Worley, was honored at the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) Distinguished Alumnus Dinner held at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center.

Dr. Worley’s premier achievement is the discovery of a polymer material that kills bacteria and inactivate viruses in water filter applications, and has provided clean drinking water for millions of people around the world.

Dr. Worley graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with honors from Auburn University in 1964. He then earned his doctorate in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin. His career includes numerous accolades:

• Teacher of the Year by the Auburn Chapter of AED

• Alumni Professor• Scharnagel Professor

• Dean’s Research Award for COSAM

• Innovative Faculty Research Award

• Charles Stone Award from the Carolina-Piedmont ACS Section as the Outstanding Chemist in the Southeast

• Fellow of the National Association of Inventors

• Professor Emeritus of Chemistry

Dr. Worley is featured in the 2018 edition of Journey magazine with an article about his most recent discovery, a staph-resistant bandage. This gauze bandage could keep people safe from infections, and also reach millions of people through its cost-effectiveness.

Previous recipients include Dr. James Ott ’64, Dr. Kathryn Thornton ’74, Dr. John A. Jernigan ’75, Ralph Jordan, Jr. ’70, ’75, Nancy Mitchell Morris ’64, Dr. F. Ivy Carroll ’57, Dr. C. Lloyd Nix ’59, Dr. Edward L. Wampold ’53, Dr. Jane Upshaw ’69, Col. Henry W. (Hank) Hartsfield ’54, Dr. C. Harry Knowles ’51, Dr. Don Logan ’66 and Dr. J. David Hagan ’65. The 2019 honoree will be featured in the next issue of Journey.